How to… write a romantic hero
Sounds simple, right? I mean, every single one of us has a crush. He’s tall, dark, blonde, handsome, rugged, quirky, a self-made man, debonair, geeky, funny, roguish, well-built, well-educated, lean… take your pick: there are a million different characteristics and traits out there that culminate in something you’ll like. Me, personally, I tend towards the more arrogant hero as opposed to the sensitive one. The funny thing is, though, I know plenty of writers who can make me fall in love with a sensitive hero. So what’s their secret? How do these authors take a bunch of traits that might otherwise leave you cold, and turn them into a well-rounded, attractive hunk of hot male specimen? Here are 10 ways to ensure your hero jumps off the page and grabs the reader’s heart:
1. He’s unmistakably masculine: romance is all about love. Love ushers in a whole host of physical attraction. So ladies, if men are your thing, he’d better be obviously male! That advice isn’t as obvious as it sounds. A hero’s virility has to be amplified – this isn’t real life, it’s romance! So whatever other traits you call to arms, make sure the reader knows he has all of the marks of a man.
2. He’s not perfect: this is key. Sure, you can give him little perfections. He might be a wiz in the world of business; a musical prodigy; physically astounding. If he’s all these things? I can already hear you yawning. It isn’t perfection that makes any of us attractive, rather our uniqueness. That balance of beauty highlighted by flaws. It’s the humility of not being perfect that pushes us, makes try harder, be better. Make sure he has a few small traits that drive you crazy – crazy enough not to be able to stop thinking about him!
3. He’s into you, but not that into you: I’ve prayed, like every other woman out there, that he’s thinking about me. I want him to lose as much sleep as I am, missing him. He occupies my every thought, shines the light of day into my life. It’s normal, during a period of courtship, to lose yourself in someone else…. but don’t let it define you. In the same way, we want a man who’s got a full and satisfying life; who can throw down with the boys, look after his family and enjoy a hard day’s work. You might be his all, but you can’t be there all the time.
4. He’s a bit of a bastard: no? Listen, in real life, I’ll concede as much as any woman that you don’t need a bastard running rampant and messing things up. What’s more, you can’t get into a relationship thinking you can change someone, but still… wouldn’t it be nice if you could? There’s something deliciously thrilling about catching the man who couldn’t be caught; in unleashing the sensitivity behind the arrogance; in taming the beast. Remember though – this is about finding the good in people! He shouldn’t be a bastard through and through, just enough to bring some game to the table.
5. He’s driven: I’m not saying he has to be rich. He doesn’t have to be climbing mountain peaks, or inventing new technology, but he does have to have drive. What makes him get out of bed in the morning? This is what makes your hero truly interesting and attractive, on top of all of those other nice-to-look-at things. Is he an unwitting leader in the community because he cares about the well-being of others more than his own? Does he come from a ruthless family of profit mongers, forced into carrying a legacy that he wants nothing more than to cleanse through good deeds? Is he an environmentalist on a quest to educate the next generation? Whatever it is, make sure he inspires.
6. He’s on a journey: people are fascinating when they’re tested. Their reactions; the choices they make. If you want to get to know someone in quick time, watch them under stress. What better way to get to know our hero than to test him on the pages of your book? Of course, he’d better pass with flying colours 
7. Children and animals love him: this is an oft-used technique, and a good one! He doesn’t have to adore them in return, but we like a man who’s able to effortlessly charm children and animals. The opposite… well, that can be amusing, too – in small doses – to see his reaction! Does he take it personally? Will he try to modify his behaviour to gain favour?
8. He’s respected and/or feared: a man’s reputation is important. Why? Not because we care about what other people think, but because it reflects how he sees himself, firstly, and secondly gives us a measure of how he behaves on a regular basis. Here’s the thing, though: he doesn’t always have to be respected. Fear is a pretty good response to the kind of virility we want to see in our heroes. The question of how he uses that fear can make for a pretty exciting read…
9. He’s protective: what could be more satisfying that curling in the strong arms of the man you love? We want our heroes to have both the mettle and the physicality to be able to protect us. Don’t get me wrong – I’m all for looking after myself, and I’ll give as good as I can get! At the same time, who wouldn’t lay down their life for someone they love? Our hero had better be good that, if nothing else!
10. He’s a good kisser: yeah, and I hate to end on a superficial note, but all of the above is just wasted if he’s not a good lover. Again, I hate to state the obvious, but even if he starts out inexperienced or clumsy, he’d better redeem himself in this area before the end of the book! This is romance, ladies – we want a little bit of passion in there. So make him hungry, masterful, and above all, skilled in the bedroom…
Of course this list is neither exhaustive nor exclusive to every hero! What are the traits of your favourite heroes? When is the last time you fell in love on the page and why?
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